Combination pressure and vacuum tank



Jan. 5, 1954 c. s. THOMPSON ET AL COMBINATION PRESSURE AND VACUUM TANK 3Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 6, 1948 ill fi'iiiikyaill 50 Lil-l Cz/wz/vcs$1 73 041, 50 65026.6 5. CLARK Awavraxs Arroxwzr Jan. 5, 1954 c. s.THOMPSON ET AL 2,664,911

COMBINATION PRESSURE AND VACUUM TANK Filed March 6, 1948 3 Sheets-Sheet5 C'mxmcz 5'. Manama 65mm; 5 CLARK Avravroxs Patented Jan. 5, 1954OFFICE COMBINATION PRESSURE AND VACUUM.

TANK

Clarence S. Thompson and George E. Clark, Long Beach, Calif;

Application March 6, 1948, serial N 0. 13,376

'7' Claims. (Cl. 137-205) Our invention relates to the field of tanks,and

more particularly to a combination pressure and vacuum tank adapted toload and unload liquidmaterial therefrom. v

Frequently in the petroleum industry it is desirable to recover crudeoil from such locations in the field as sumps or the cellars under=derricks where suitable pumping equipment is normally not available,and to temporarily store the recovered oil until 'it can be transportedto permanent storage facilities or used for maintenance purposes. It hasbeen found from experience that oil recoveredf-rom suinps and cellarsisnormally mixed with considerable foreign material, and that "suchmaterial may have a highly abr'asiveaction on pumps which are used forsuch recovery purposes. In addition, the'oil present in sumps may beonly a relatively thin film floating on water, with the result that itis not practical to attempt to recover same with conventional pumpingequipment.

Although the film of oil floating on water in a sump may be relativelythin, the amount of oil which is potentially recoverable from- "eachsump will normally run from 50 barrels upwardly. It is therefore torecover this oil situated in a sump rather than 'h'aving'it burned fromthe surfaceof the water on which it is floating as is -a-common practicein some localities that we have devised our present invention.

'It is a major object of our invention to provide a portable apparatusthat can be move'd to alocation where crude oil -'is situatedand'loadsam'e into a tank without having the oil flow through a pump,that will be adapted to temporarily store the recovered oil until suchtime as it can he transported to permanent storage facilities or used inthe field for maintenancework, and will be adapted to unload the oilfrom the temporary storage tank without having it new through a pumpduring this operation.

Another object of our invention is to furnish an apparatus that willrecover crude oil, whenv it is situated as a relatively thin film onabody of water, that will be little affected 'byabrasive foreign materialheld in suspension in-the *oil, will have a simple mechanical structure,can be easily manufactured, will have a minimum of working parts, andcan sold at'aprice which will previously considered waste oil that isnow salvaged.

A further object of our invention is to supply an apparatus thatrequires but one pump to alternately place air'pressure and vacuum onthe storagetank, that automatically stops loading oil upon the storagetank being filled, that is provided with a nozzle- -particul'a-rlyadapted for skimming and recovering o'ilfloating on water, and caneasily be operated by one man.

These and other objects and advantages of our invention will becomeapparent from the following description of a preferred form thereof, andfrom the drawings illustrating that form in which:

Fig. 1 a side ele'vational View of our combination pressure and vacuumoi-l storage tank mounted on a conventional power-operated truck;

Fig. 2 is an end elevational 'v iewof the device;

Fig. 3 is-a vertical cross-sectional view of the device taken on thefines-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of a combination bumper andspray pipe used in connec't'ion with 'th'eitank Fig. 5 is -a verticalcross-sectional view of the tank taken on-the line 5-5 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view of afloat-valveassemblyandscrubberused in the de vice, with the valve intheopen'position;

'7 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the floatgvalv'e assembly, withthe valve in the closed position} Fig. '8 is a horizontalcross-sectional view of the toggle mechanism used in. connection withour fioatvalve taken'on'the line 8-8 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8A is a plan view of a modified form of toggle mechanism whichcanbe used in connection with our float-valve;

Fig. 9' isaperspective view of the device being used in recovering anoil filmfioating on water 111a sump Fig. 10 is a verticalcross-sectional view of a nozzle adapted for skimming oil from thesurfaceof water in'a sump;

Fig. 11 is a vertical cross-sectional view of anothr'form of nozzlewhich is also adapted for skimming, oil from the surface of water in asump; I

Fig: 12 is 8. plan view of a-puin with a hori- 3 zontal cross-sectionalview of the valve control used in connection therewith, with the valvebeing positioned whereby air pressure is placed on the tank; and,

Fig. 13 is a plan view of the pump with a hori zontal cross-sectionalview of the control used in connection therewith, with the valve beingpositioned whereby a vacuum is placed on the tank.

Referring now to Fig. l for the general arrangement of our invention, itwill be seen that a cylindrical tank T is supported in a. longitudinalposition from the chassis of a motor-powered vehicle V, with the vehiclebeing provided with :1 pump P whereby either air pressure or a vacuumcan be placed on the tank. Thus upon air pressure being applied to thetank T the oil contained therein is forced outwardly through a dischargevalve D as can best be seen in Fig. 2, and upon vacuum being appliedthereto oil is drawn into the tank through a valve S provided for thatpurpose. It will of course be apparent that during the time the tank Tis filled with oil the valve D is in the closed position.

The tank T is preferably formed from welded steel plates in the form ofan elongated cylindrical shell ID having bumped ends ll of aconventional design, with the entire tank assembly being constructedsufficiently heavy as to withstand both the air pressure and vacuum towhich it will be subjected. Laterally spaced along the upper portion ofthe shell are two hand holes l2, each having a cover plate I3 providedthereon which is removably held in place by a conventional screwmechanism adapted for this purpose. Either of the hand holes 12 issufficiently large as to have a hose lowered therein whereby the tankcan be washed out, with the progress of the work being observed from theopposite hand hole.

Situated on the upper portion of the tank T between the forwardlydisposed hand hole I2 and the forward pumped end I I is a verticalupwardly extending flanged condition [4. A flanged inverted dome 15 ispivotally mounted on an upright member [6 which is welded or otherwisesecured to the upper portion of the shell ID, with the dome beingadapted when rotated to a vertical position to engage the nozzle l4 towhich it is secured by bolts in a conventional manner.

A 90-degree elbow I1 extends downwardly from the lower rearward portionof the tank T, and has a valve D affixed to its outer end whereby theflow of fluid from the tank T can be controlled. Although any one of theconventional type valves can be used as the valve D, we have found itconvenient to apply a quick opening valve which is placed in the open orclosed position by a single vertical movement of the handle l8. AnotherQO-degree elbow l 9 extends downwardly from the lower rearward portionof the tank T adjacent to the elbow l1, and has the valve S mounted onits rearward end. The valve S is also of the quick opening type and isactuated by a vertically movable handle 20. In Figs. 2 and 3 it will beseen that the discharge valve D is of somewhat larger size than thevalve S for reasons which will hereinafter be explained. A stand pipe 2|extends vertically upward within the confines of the tank T from theupper end of the elbow 19, with the upper end of the stand pipe beingspaced approximately one-quarter of the inside diameter of the tank Tfrom the upper inner surface thereof.

In Fig. 1 it will be seen that a combination bumper and spray pipe 22 istransversely positioned across the rearward portion of the vehicle V,and supported by a pair of laterally spaced substantially horizontalmembers 22A. A standard pipe reducer 23 is affixed to one end of thespray pipe 22, with its engaging end being blanked oil from the balanceof the pipe 22 by a plate 23A welded in a vertical position inside thereducer. Threaded to the outer end of the reducer 23 is a fan shapednozzle 24 having its slit like orifice vertically positioned to sprayoil outwardly as a vertical blanket against embankments such as arenormally built around oil storage tanks in tank farms. By the sprayingof oil on such embankments the growth of weeds and vegetation whichwould normally take place thereon i eliminated.

To furnish oil to the nozzle 24 a pipe 25 is connected to an upwardlyextending nipple which is welded to the reducer 23 on the outer side ofthe plate 23A, with the pipe 25 being provided with a valve 26 prior toits being placed in communication with the elbow I! by a suitablefitting situated thereon forwardly from the valve D. A pipe 21 is alsoplaced in communication with the opposite side of the elbow ll forwardlyfrom the valve D by engaging a suitable fitting connected thereto and isprovided with a shut-off valve 28 situated in a convenient location.

The spray pipe 22 as can best be seen in Fig. 4 is formed withdownwardly extending laterally spaced perforations 29 on the lowerportion thereof, and a horizontally positioned and rearwardly slopingbaffle strip 30 which serves to direct the oil passing through theperforations rearwardly from the truck in the spraying of roads. Ofcourse, if it is desired an individual rearwardly extending finger canbe placed under each of the perforations 29 rather than the abovedescribed baffle 30. Thus it will be seen that oil can be sprayed fromthe nozzle 24 or the perforations 29 by opening the appropriate valve 26or 28 respectively, or should it be desired to unload oil through thevalve D it is placed in the open position after a hose 30 is attachedthereto by a coupling 3| in a conventional manner.

It will be apparent that when oil is being discharged through one of thelines controlled by the valve 26, 28, or D that the balance of thevalves must be in the closed position. However, it may be desirable attimes to spray both a road and an embankment in which case both thevalves 28 and 28 are placed in the open position.

In order that the tank T can be loaded with oil through the elbow I9 andstand pipe 21 a vacuum is placed on the tank by use of the pump P whichis belt driven in a single direction by a conventional power take offfrom the engine of the vehicle V. The pump P which is of the blowertype, vacuum and pressure variety, is pref erably positioned on thevehicle V near the forward end of the tank T, and is controlled by a4-way plug cock 40 whereby either air pressure or a vacuum can be placedon the tank T without reversing the direction of the pump.

A pair of laterally spaced movable rods 38 are fixed to the rotatableportion of the cock 40, and extend rearwardly in a horizontal planealongside the tank T. One of these rods is visible in Fig. 1. Each ofthe rods 38 is supplied on the rearward end with a handle 39 whereby aman operating the valves D and S can by movement of the appropriate rod38 control the position of the rotatable portion of the plug cock 40.Such an arrangement is highly convenient in that the operator has morecontrol over all of the preanemia:

being; placed in the position shown in Fig. 1-2 air is pulled inwardlythrough the combined air intake and discharge muffler 4i to flow througha pipe 42 into the cook 40. The air on entering. the cook 49 flowsthrough a bore l3 formed in the rotatable portion thereof to enter asuction line -4 leading to the pump P, and from whence.

it is discharged through a pipe 45 to again'ent'er the cook. The airflows from the pipe 45'through a bore 46 provided in the rotatableportion of the cock to enter a pipe '4'! which is sealed to and passesthrough the forwardly positionedrtan-kend H. When it is desired toremove air from the tank T to permit same to be filled with fluid, therotatable plug portion of the valve '49 is rotated 90 degrees in acounterclockwise 'directicmv to the position'show'n in Fig. 13 andair-'drawn'fr'om the tank T through thepi-pe 4'1 and bore "46 to enterthe pump intake line 44, and is discharged from the pump through a pipe45, bore. 43, pipe 42; and muiller 4| to the atmosphere. Thus, with theabove described valving arrangement the pump P can be utilized inproviding either air pressure or vacuum on the tank T by simply rotatingthe movable portion of the cook 49 ninety degrees.

The pipe 4 after passing through the forwardly positioned tank end I lproceeds rearwardly to a vertically positioned separator 48 to whichitxis placed in communication by conventional pipe fittings. Separator48 is formed as an enclosed hollow cylinder having a flanged 'connection49 extending upwardly from the top portion thereof, and a drain pipe 50which is of considerably smaller diameter than the separator whichproceeds downwardly from the base portion thereof. Drain pipe 59 passesthrough the lower portion of the tank T to which it is sealed,

and is provided on the lower'end on the exterior of the tank with avalve 50a. By the use of the valve 50a 'either foam or oil which-'has'accumulated in the separator 48 can be removed therefrom by simplyopening the valve, and placing a suitable container thereunder for theoil to drain in. It will be noted that the nozzle 49 extends downwardlyinside the separator '48 a substantial distance below where the pipe 47enters, in order that foam or oil entering the separator will not bedrawn outwardly through the pipe 41 into the pump. Y

As the impeller on the blower type pressure and vacuum pump which weprefer to use fits veryclosely to the interior surface of the housing itis-highly undesirableto have any foreigninate' rial such as oil or waterenter the confines of the pump.

A vertically-positioned. and upwardly extending pipe 5 l having-aflangeon its lower end is'afiixed to the upper face-of the flangeconnection "45 in a conventional manner by the-use'of bolts. The upperopen end of the pipe 5! serves as a valve seat 52, and is formed. with adownwardly and inwardly extending bevel that is preferably faced withbrass. An annular ring'53 is secured to the interior face of pipe 54' ascan best be seen in Fig. 6, and serves as axsupp'ort for two laterallyspaced guide strips '5": that are supported from the upper surfacethereof, and two similar guide strips 55 that-are fixed'to'the'bottomrace'thereof. Each of the strips Stand 55- is formed with a centrallydisposed. arcuate indentation on the interior edge. thereof which servesaszaguide for a vertically-moveablerrod 56. -A;hori'zonta-ll ypositioned annular valve disc 51 is rigidlymounted on the, rod 56, andis provided with a'downwardlyand inward-1y beveled periphery having. "agroove formed therein which contains an annular ring 58 formed from aresilient material which is adapted to'seat on the valve seat 52.

Thesrod 5'6 isimoveably-"supported from ai'lorizontally positioned pin59- that engages the -for-- ward 'end. of a lever 60, which lever as canbest be seen from Fig. -6 is pivotally supported .from an arm 6| thatextends upwardly from "a horizontal support '62 which is aflixed to theexterior surface of the pipe 51. A vertical bore 63 "is formed in therearward end portion of the support '62 and has a rod '64 slidablymounted'therein. The rod64' on its upper end is pi'votally connected tothe rearward end 01 the lever 60, and onits lower end. is provided witha horizontally posh tioned: annular pressure plate '65. Situated: below.the pressure plate 65 are two vertically spaced horizontal arms 66 whichalso extend rearwardly from the exterior surface of the pipe 51, witheach arm being formed with a vertical bore 61" therein which is inalignment with the bore 53. Av vertically positioned rod 68 isslidably'mounted in the bores 61, and "is' providedon its upper end witha horizontally positioned pressure plate-6'9 Which is adapted to contactthep'late when the rod 68 is moved upwardly by a's ph'ericalfloat 10'that is'affi'xed to the lower endthe'reof.

In order that the valve disc '51 will eitl-ier beoccupying the openposition shown in Fig; 6 01' the closed position s hown-in Fig. '7, twooppositely disposed strips 15 of Phosphor bronze or a corirosionresisting'me'tal'ar'e positioned between the strips 54 and 55, with oneend of each of'the strips Tibeir'ig pivotallyand-slidably connected to apin 11 that extendsthrough the'rod56, "and the outer end bi each of thestrips beingrotatably suppo'rtedfrom an individual horizontallypositioned p'in T'Bthat' is mounted in a convenient manner from theinterior base of the ring 5?f. Each of the strips 15 issufficientlylonggsothat it will pivot and slide on the pin 1 to act satoggle, and will not remain in ast'able position in the horizontalplane, but'will force the valve disc 51 either into the open "or closedposition when actuated by a pair of helical springs-J15. Extending alongthe longitudinal sidesof the strips 15 are the two laterallyspacedhelical springs TBfwhich are supported between two crossbars 80,'each of which is mounted 'on the outer end of (one of the strips Thesprin Hare atall times in tension, and have sufficient strength to holdthe valve disc 51 in the open position until the tension of the springsis overcome by pressure applied totheplate 63"which occurs fr o'm thepressure exerted by float H! as the 'levelof, oilfin the tank rises.How'ever, once the valve disc Fl-has been placed in the closed Iposition as shownin Fig. '7 the sprin s 19. have sufilcient strength tomaintain it in this; position until air is forced into the separator 48by use of the pump P. V

An alternate form of toggle mechanism is shown in Fig. 8A which isof'extremely simple construction. Two strips 15' ofa'thinfresilientmaterial are"pivotally'connected at one endto'the pin 11, and on, theother end to a horizontally p sitioned pin 18 as previously described.The w strips 15' are sufficijentlyg long so that" they will;

not remain 'in "a "horizontal "plane in which position they are slightlybowed, but will assume either an upwardly or downwardly extendingposition to hold the valve disc in an open or closed positionrespectively. This form of toggle is differentiated from the previouslydescribed form in that no springs 19 are used for the toggle action,which is achieved by the resiliency of the strips 15 themselves.

Upon it being desired to use the tank T in removing oil from a sump thetruck V is moved into a convenient location with reference thereto. Alength of nose 82 which is normally carried in a longitudinallyextending rack 83 that is supported from the tank T as can best be seenin Figs. 1 and 2 is removed, and by the use of a coupling 82A affixedthereto is connected to the valve S.

In Fig. 9 it will be noted that the hose 82 is used in the skimming ofoil from a sump, and that a fan shaped nozzle 84 is affixed to the outerend thereof. However, when the hose 82 is being used for removing oilfrom such a location as a cellar under a derrick the nozzle 84 can bedispensed with and the lower end of the hose dropped directly under thesurface of the liquid. In Fig. 10 is shown a vertical cross-sectionalview of one form of our nozzle 84 which we have found to be particularlyeffective in the removing of thin films of oil from the surface ofwater. The upper end of the nozzle 84 is formed with an internallytapped portion 85 which permits it to be threaded to the nipple providedon the lower end of the hose 82, and from which the balance of the fanshaped nozzle slopes outwardly to terminate in a relatively narrow slit86 which is provided on the lower edge thereof with an inwardlyextending lip 81.

It will be apparent that upon the nozzle 84 being used for the recoveryof oil as shown in Fig. 9 that air is drawn inwardly through the passage86 with a very high velocity by the pump P, with the result that the oilfloating on the water is drawn inwardly through the nozzle in a veryefficient manner and but slightly contaminated by the water on which itis floating. It has been found from experiments that the inwardlyextending lip 81 shown in Fig. 10 aids materially in skimming oil fromthe water, as does the downwardly extending lip 88 shown in thealternate form of nozzle 84 in Fig. 11. The lip 88 is preferably formedby folding the lower edge portion of the orifice of nozzle 84 rearwardlyon itself for reinforcing purposes. Both of the nozzles shown in Figs.10 and 11 are identical except as to the structures 81 and 88, andalthough the above described lips 81 and 88 are definitely advantageousin removing oil from a body of water the theoretical reason as to whythis occurs is not fully understood.

As the tank T is subjected to both vacuum and air pressure it is ofcourse essential that the tank be reinforced to withstand such varyingconditions, and at the same time permit all of the oil which is heldwithin the confines of the tank to drain from the valve D. In Fig. 5 itwill be noted that an inverted U-shaped reinforcing member 90 is afiixedto the interior of the shell [0, but that an open space 9| is leftbetween the lower ends of the member which permit liquid to flow alongthe bottom portion of the tank T. An annular member 92 having the properstructural cross section is situated directly under the member 98 on thelower exterior surface of the tank, and substantially overlaps the lowerportion of the inte- ,Jnember 80, extending upwardly to within arelatively short distance of an L-shaped clip 93 which is positioned oneach side of the tank T. Stud bolts 94 engage vertically positionedbores formed in both members 93 and 94, and thus the tank T is firmlyheld in position on the member 92 without recourse to straps extendingaround the exterior surface of the tank.

Situated between the upper surface of the member 92 and the exteriorsurface of the tank T is a felt pad 92A which permits a slight movementof the tank with relation to the member 92 as the tank is beingtransported over rough terrain, but at the same time holds the tank in afixed position on the truck bed. The members 92, as can be seen in Fig.5 are supported from vertically positioned plates 94 which are afllxedto the longitudinally extending channel-shaped mem-- bers 95 that form aportion of the truck chassis.

In Figs. 3 and 5 it will be seen that a vertically extending baffle 96is affixed to the forward face of the reinforcing member inside the tankT, and is strengthened by welding angle iron members 81 to the interiorsurface of the tank T. In order that access may be easily had to thehand holes [3 and the dome [5 a longitudinally extending runway 98 isprovided directly above the hose racks 83 on each side of the vehicle Vas can best be seen in Figs. 1 and 2.

The operation of our invention is quite simple. The vehicle V ismoved toa position whereby a length of hose 82 can be aflixed to the suctionvalve S and the hose is either dropped into a sump from which it isdesired to recover oil, or should the oil be floating on the surface ofa liquid one of the nozzles 84 is aflixed to the outer end of the hose82 and the oil skimmed therefrom as previously described.

However prior to starting the recovery of oil either by use of the hose82 itself, or with a nozzle 84 afiixed thereto, it is necessary to placea vacuum on the tank which is accomplished by starting the pump P andmoving one of the rods 38 to rotate the movable portion of the cock 48to the position shown in Fig. 13.

As the vacuum on the tank T increases air is drawn inwardly through thehose 82 with great velocity and carries with it oil from the sump fromwhich recovery is taking place. Of course with the pump P operating tocreate a vacuum on the tank T oil will immediately be drawn upwardlyinto the tank when the lower end of hose 82 is placed beneath thesurface of the oil such as is done when oil is being recovered from thecellar under a derrick. Oil will continue to enter the tank T throughthe elbow l9 and standpipe 2| until the liquid level therein is only ashort distance from the interior top portion of the tank T. At this timethe liquid level contacts the spherical float 10 as shown in Fig. 6 andthe rod 68 moves the pressure plate 89 upwardly until it contacts thelower surface of pressure plate 65. As further pressure is applied tothe plate 65 the rod 58 supporting the valve disc 57 is moved downwardlyas are the strips 15 until they act as a toggle due to springs 19, andsnap downwardly from the position shown in Fig. 6 to t Shown in pon thisoccurring the resilient ring 58 is pressed into contact with the valveseat 52 and an airtight seal is effected between the scrubber 48 and theinterior of tank T. It will be apparent from an examination of Fig. 3that no further air can be withdrawn from the tank T through the pipe 41until such time as the valve disc 51 again occupies the position shownIn 6. Thus the springs 19 are now holding the valve disc in aclosedposition where it will so remain until air pressure is placed onthe lower face of valve disc-51 by operation of the pump P to move thedisc into the open positio As the tank T is now loaded the vehicle V- isdriven to a location where the oil contained in the tank will either beplaced in permanent storage facilities or used in maintenance work onthe field. In the normal recovery ofoil from sumps and cellars underderrick-s it is quite 'usualffor the vehicle V to be driven overrelatively rough roads with the result that the oil contained the tank Iis in a constant state of movement and slcshes from one end of the tankto the-other. However the movement of the oil within the tank is some iwhat restricted by the vertically positionedbaiiie '96 which has atendencyto hold the movement of the oil to a minimum. It will be,apparent that were, it not for the valve disc 51 being held in a closedposition by the previouslydescribed toggle valve there-would beadistinct tendency for oil and foam to pass over into'the separator 48during the time that the valve disc 51 is in the open position due tothe vertical movement of float 10,

However, from an examination of Figs. 6 and '7 I it will be seen thatthis is impossible for while the level of the oil moves upwardly anddown- Wardly due to the movement of truck T over rough terrain, and thefloat moves therewith,

there is no fixed connection between the pressure plates 63 and E9 andthe vertical movement of the spherical float 10 has no influence ontheposition of the valve disc 51 once it has assumed the closed positionshown in Fig. 7. Upon the ve:

hicle V having reached its destination where it i is desired to unloadthe oil from the tank T the pump P is started and oneof the ods 38 movedto place the rotatable portion of cock 4 0 in the position shown in Fig.12 whereupon air pressure is placed on thevalve disc 51 and it is movedupwardly to assume the open position shown in Fig. 6.

It will be apparent that upon the valve disc 51 being moved to the openposition by. air pressure that there is air pressure on theupper surfaceof the liquid H as shown in Fig. 3, and upon the valve D being openedoil will be immediately dis charged therefrom. However it frequentlyhaplpens that in the recovery of oil fromsuch locations as the cellarsunder derricks that it is material, and that this material when drawnupwardly into the tank T settles along the bot tom thereof in a patternshown by the phantom line It! in Fig. 3. Upon this contingency 00-curring we have found that the foreign material has a tendency to packvery solidly, and that even by the application of pressure to thesurface of the liquid I06 that the settled material will not be forcedfrom the discharge valve D.

To alleviate this condition the upper portion of the liquid in the tankT is drained therefrom by using the standpipe. 21, elbowl9, and thesuction valve S for discharge purposes, and thelevel of the liquidlowered to, the top of the standpipe 2!. With the pump P operatingvacuum and air pressure are alternately placed on the tank T by movementof the cock tov first the position shown in Fig. 12 and then to theposition shown in Fig. 13. This alternate applicationof pressure andvacuum has been found'from experience'to cause thesolidly packed foreignmaterial to be churned up with the oil into a mixture that can bedrained from the tank '1 through the valve. D in the normal manner.However, 'for the applimixed with a considerable amount of foreigncation of alternate air pressure and vacuum to be most eifecti-ve inchurning up the deposited material the spacein the interior upperportion of the tank down to the top of the st-andpipe 2| must be madeavailable for the application of'such air pressure and vacuum by thabove described operation. Thus it will be seen that whether therecovered oilis totally'free of foreign material or whether it isheavily contaminatedtherewith the above described device is not onlyfully capable ofloading the oil without it flowingthrough the pumplEfbut is equally capable of discharging the oilfunder the sameconditions. It will be apparcut that "while we have illustrated ourinvention with'particular reference to the petroleum indust-ry that itwill also have numerous other industrial uses "where it is desired torecover liquid products.

Although it has been found that a conventional floatvalv assembly can beused to actuate the valve disc 51 such a valve has the disadvantage thatit is actuated by the movement of oil in the tank as the vehicle Vtravels over rough ground. Thisof course results'in the floatalternately opening and closing the'valve disc 51, with the result that oiland foam spill overinto the scrubber when the valve disc 51 is in theopen position. Such oil and foam must be drained from'the separator bythe use of valve 50;: to prevent it being drawn into pump P through thepipe 41, and possibly doing considerable damage thereto. v

While the above device herein described is fully capable ofattainingithe objects and providing the advantages herein-before stated,it is to be understood that it is merely illustrative of the presentlypreferred form of our invention, and that wedo not mean to limitourselves to the detailsof construction herein shown and described otherthan as defined in the appended claims.

We claim 1. A portable vacuum and pressure tank apparatus whichincludes: a tank; a pump onerable to alternately furnish either airpressure or a vacuum; pipe means connecting said pumpv to the interiorof said tank, said pipe means including an end portion disposed attheupper portion of said tank; a first valve selectively actuable so as toadmit liquid material into said tank up n said pump being operated toplace, a vacuum upon said pipe means; float-operated valve meanspositioned in said end portion for closing said end portion when thelevel of said liquid ma-, terial reaches a predetermined height Withinsaid tank; means for holding said float-operated valve means tl$ i untilsaid pump is operated to place a positive air pressure on said pipemeans; and a second valve selectively operable to, permit said liquidmaterial to be discharged from said tan-k upon said. pump being'operatedto place positive air pressure on said pipe means.

'2; In a portable vacuum and pressure tank apparatus having a tank, avehicle supporting said tank, a pump supported on said vehicle and.being operable to alternately furnish either air pressure or a vacuum,pipe means connecting said pumpto the interior of said tank and in;cluding an end portion disposed at the upper portion of said tank, and avalve selectively actu-q able to admit liquid material into said tankupon said pump being operated to place avacuum upon sa d pe means he comina n t l idv ape paratus whichincludesi float valve means 'posi tionedin said end portion to close said end por- 1 1 tion when the level ofsaid liquid material reaches a predetermined height within said tank;and spring means connected to said float valve means so as to hold saidmeans closed until said pump is operated to place positive air pressureon said pipe means.

3. In a portable vacuum and pressure tank apparatus of the classdescribed having a tank, and power driven pump means adapted to supplyeither air pressure or vacuum to the interior of said tank: a separatorpositioned inside said tank and connected to said pump; a float valveconnected to said separator to control the communication between saidseparator and the interior of said tank; valve means selectivelyactuable to permit liquid to be discharged from said tank when said pumpmeans is operated so as to place air pressure on the interior of saidtank; valve means selectively actuable to permit liquid to be admittedwithin said tank when said pump means is operated so as to place avacuum upon the interior of said tank; and spring means to hold saidfloat valve closed until said pump means is operated so as to place airpressure on the interior of said tank.

4. A portable vacuum and pressure tank apparatus which includes: a tank;power driven pump means adapted to supply either air pressure or avacuum to said tank; a pipe connecting said pump means to said tank; acylindrical separator vertically positioned in said tank, with saidseparator having a beveled valve seat formed at the upper end thereof,and a lower discharge pipe, the upper portion of said separator beingformed with an annular baflled passageway in communication with saidpipe; a valve disc adapted to engage said valve seat; spring means forholding said valve disc against said seat; a pivotally mounted armmovably connected to said valve disc; a float, which upon rising to apredetermined elevation, pivots said arm to seat said disc; means forpermitting the discharge of liquid from said tank upon said pump placingair pressure on the interior of said tank through said separator valveseat; and means for permitting liquid to be admitted into said tank uponsaid pump placing a vacuum on the interior of said tank through saidvalve seat, the loading of said liquid being stopped upon said floatbeing raised by the level of liquid in said tank to a predeterminedheight whereby said valve disc is forced into said valve seat to placethe interior of said tank and said valve disc out of communication, saidspring means holding said disc closed until air pressure is placed onsaid valve disc by said pump.

5. A portable vacuum and pressure tank apparatus which includes: a tank;a power driven pump adapted to supply either air pressure or a vacuum tosaid tank; a pipe connecting said pump to the upper portion of saidtank; a separator in said tank, with said separator having a beveledvalve seat, and said separator being connected at the end of said pipe;a valve disc adapted to engage said valve seat; spring means for holdingsaid valve disc in position in said seat; a pivotally mounted levermovably connected to said valve disc; at downwardly extending rodpivotally connected to the opposite end of said lever; a slidablymounted member in substantially vertical alignment with said rod; afloat aflixed to said member; valve means connected to the lower portionof said tank for permitting the discharging of liquid from said tankupon said pump placing air pressure on the interior of said tank throughsaid separator valve seat; and valve means connected to said tank forpermitting the admission of liquid into said tank upon said pump placinga vacuum on the interior of said tank through said valve seat, theloading of said liquid being stopped upon said float being raised to apredetermined position whereupon said member is moved upwardly tocontact said rod and rotate said lever sufficiently to place said discin said valve seat so as to block further communication between saidseparator and the interior of said tank, and said disc remaining sopositioned due to said spring means until air pressure is placed on saiddisc by said pump.

6. A portable vacuum and pressure tank apparatus which includes: a tank;a power driven pump adapted to supply either air pressure or a vacuum; apipe connecting said pump to the upper portion of said tank; a separatorvertically positioned in said tank, with said separator having a beveledvalve seat at the upper end thereof, and said separator being connectedto the end of said pipe by an annular bafiled passageway; a valve discadapted to engage said valve seat; a toggle mechanism for holding saidvalve disc in position in said seat; a pivotally mounted lever movablyconnected to said valve disc; a downwardly extending rod pivotallyconnected to the opposite end of said lever; a slidably mounted memberin substantially vertical alignment with said rod; a float afiixed tosaid member; valve means connected to said tank for permitting liquid tobe discharged from said tank upon said pump placing air pressure on theinterior of said tank through said separator valve seat; and valve meansconnected to said tank for permitting liquid to be admitted into saidtank upon said pump placing a vacuum on the interior of said tankthrough said valve seat, with the loading of said liquid being stoppedupon said float being raised to a predetermined position whereupon saidmember is moved upwardly to contact said rod and rotate said leversufliciently to place said disc in said valve seat to block furthercommunication between said separator and the interior of said tank, andsaid disc remaining so positioned due to said spring means until airpressure is placed on said disc by said pump.

'7. A portable vacuum and pressure tank apparatus which includes: atank; a power driven air pump adapted to furnish either air pressure ora vacuum to said tank; a pipe connecting said pump to the upper portionof said tank; a discharge valve connected to the lower portion of saidtank for draining said tank; an inlet valve connected to said tank forfilling said tank; a standpipe extending upwardly inside said tank andin communication with said inlet valve to prevent a liquid from drainingfrom said inlet valve after it has been placed in said tank; a separatorin said tank mounted at the outlet end of said pipe, with said separatorhaving a valve seat formed at the top thereof; a valve disc adapted toseat in said valve seat; a spring loaded toggle mechanism adapted tohold said valve disc firmly positioned in said valve seat after it hasbeen moved therein; a float which upon rising to a predeterminedelevation, moves said disc into said seat to block communication betweensaid separator and the interior of said tank, and said disc remaining sopositioned irrespective of the movement of liquid in said tank untilsufficient air pressure is applied to said disc by 13 said pump toovercome the force of said toggle Number mechanism. 1,485,222 CLARENCES. THOMPSON. 1,587,864 GEORGE E. CLARK. 1,725,581 5 1,725,620 ReferencesCited in the file of this patent 1,9 4,147 UNITED STATES PATENTS2,003,808 Number Name Date 39,169 Peck et a1. July 7, 1863 10 6 61,880Serrell Feb. 5, 1867 2309043 1,104,633 Cressy July 21, 1914 23252741,162,565 Bufiat Nov. 30, 1915 2375442 1,421,038 Shocker June 27, 19221,437,916 Shelor Dec. 5, 1922 14 Name Date Ginty Feb. 26, 1924 SargentJune 8, 1926 Hendricks Aug. 20, 1929 Mumma, Aug. 2?, McCla'bchie 1 June13, 1933 Mascuch June 1, 1935 Thwaits Jan. 11, 1938 Buchs Sept. 6, 1938Bosh et a1. Sept. 13, 1938 Breckheimer Jan. 19, 19 13 Pye July 27, 19 13Sandberg May 8, 1945

